-Livemint.com 44% of derailments between 2012-13 and 2016-17 were due to failure of tracks, fittings There have been nine incidents of train derailments in the past one month. The spate of accidents has increased anxiety among passengers and also generated a lot of political heat. What are the concrete facts though? Have train derailments been increasing? What is causing these accidents? Is it sabotage, human error or dilapidated infrastructure? A NITI Aayog discussion...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: Several social sector schemes, such as MGNREGA, housing, irrigation, education and connectivity, are expected to see a significant increase over the next two financial years as the government ramps up spending in key areas ahead of the 2019 elections. According to the medium-term expenditure framework statement tabled in Parliament by finance minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday, the Centre's total spending is set to reach Rs 26...

-The Hindu CAG finds many hazards in catering system; Army’s high-calibre munitions level critical A Comptroller and Auditor General report tabled in Parliament on Friday has found severe deficiencies in the catering services of the Indian railways, with several stations and trains serving food items “unfit for human consumption”, unpurified tap water being used for food preparation, and food being left unprotected from insects and rats. “Deficiencies in respect of quality of food...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: A Comptroller and Auditor General audit report on the catering services in the Indian railways, to be tabled in Parliament on Friday, has observed that food articles unsuitable for human consumption, contaminated foodstuff, recycled foodstuff, packaged and bottled items past their shelf life and unauthorised brands of water bottles were offered for sale at stations. The audit has found fault with frequent changes in catering policy...

-MoneyControl.com The ministry is hoping that the well-to-do passengers will opt out of the subsidy. After LPG, a 'Give-It-Up' campaign for subsidy on train tickets could be launched soon. The Indian railways is gearing to launch the campaign from August, says a report in the Business Standard. Through this, the passengers will have the choice to either forego 100 percent subsidy or give up 50 percent. The passengers will also have a...